[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 155 (Friday, August 11, 2006)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 46128-46130]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E6-13134]


 ========================================================================
 Proposed Rules
                                                 Federal Register
 ________________________________________________________________________
 
 This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains notices to the public of 
 the proposed issuance of rules and regulations. The purpose of these 
 notices is to give interested persons an opportunity to participate in 
 the rule making prior to the adoption of the final rules.
 
 ========================================================================
 

  Federal Register / Vol. 71, No. 155 / Friday, August 11, 2006 / 
Proposed Rules  

[[Page 46128]]



DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2006-24709; Directorate Identifier 2006-CE-28-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Glasflugel Models H 301 ``Libelle,'' H 
301B ``Libelle,'' Standard ``Libelle,'' and Standard Libelle-201B 
Sailplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Department of 
Transportation (DOT).

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all 
Glasflugel Models H 301 ``Libelle,'' H 301B ``Libelle,'' Standard 
``Libelle,'' and Standard Libelle-201B sailplanes. This proposed AD 
would require you to replace the rudder actuator arm (manufactured 
according to drawing No. 301-45-10) with an improved design rudder 
actuator arm (manufactured following drawing No. 301-45-13). This 
proposed AD results from mandatory continuing airworthiness information 
(MCAI) issued by the airworthiness authority for Germany. We are 
proposing this AD to detect and correct damage to the rudder actuator 
arm, which could result in failure of the rudder actuator arm. This 
failure could result in reduced or loss of rudder control.

DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by September 11, 
2006.

ADDRESSES: Use one of the following addresses to comment on this 
proposed AD:
     DOT Docket Web site: Go to http://dms.dot.gov and follow 
the instructions for sending your comments electronically.
     Government-wide rulemaking Web site: Go to http://www.regulations.gov and follow the instructions for sending your 
comments electronically.
     Mail: Docket Management Facility; U.S. Department of 
Transportation, 400 Seventh Street, SW., Nassif Building, Room PL-401, 
Washington, DC 20590-0001.
     Fax: (202) 493-2251.
     Hand Delivery: Room PL-401 on the plaza level of the 
Nassif Building, 400 Seventh Street, SW., Washington, DC, between 9 
a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
    For service information identified in this proposed AD, contact 
Glasflugel, Glasfaser-Flugzeug-Service GmbH, Hansjory Steifeneder, 
Hofener Weg, 72582 Grabenstetten, Federal Republic of Germany; 
telephone: 011 49 7382 1032.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Gregory Davison, Glider Project 
Officer, ACE-112, Small Airplane Directorate, 901 Locust, Room 301, 
Kansas City, Missouri 64106; telephone: (816) 329-4130; facsimile: 
(816) 329-4090.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Comments Invited

    We invite you to send any written relevant data, views, or 
arguments regarding this proposed AD. Send your comments to an address 
listed under the ADDRESSES section. Include the docket number, ``FAA-
2006-24709; Directorate Identifier 2006-CE-28-AD'' at the beginning of 
your comments. We specifically invite comments on the overall 
regulatory, economic, environmental, and energy aspects of the proposed 
AD. We will consider all comments received by the closing date and may 
amend the proposed AD in light of those comments.
    We will post all comments we receive, without change, to http://dms.dot.gov, including any personal information you provide. We will 
also post a report summarizing each substantive verbal contact we 
receive concerning this proposed AD.

Discussion

    The Luftfahrt-Bundesamt (LBA), which is the airworthiness authority 
for Germany, notified FAA that an unsafe condition may exist on all 
Glasflugel Models H 301 ``Libelle,'' H 301B ``Libelle,'' Standard 
``Libelle,'' and Standard Libelle-201B sailplanes. The LBA reports 
several occurrences of damage to the rudder actuator arm caused by 
inappropriately lifting the fuselage at the rudder during ground 
handling. Visual inspections of the actuator arm revealed the damage to 
the rudder actuator arm.
    This condition, if not corrected, could result in failure of the 
rudder actuator arm. This failure could result in reduced or loss of 
rudder control.

Relevant Service Information

    We have reviewed Glasfaser-Flugzeug-Service GmbH Hansj[ouml]rg 
Streifeneder Technical Note No. 201-35 and No. 301-39, dated March 1, 
2005.
    The service information describes procedures for replacing the 
rudder actuator arm (manufactured according to drawing No. 301-45-10) 
with an improved design actuator arm (manufactured following drawing 
No. 301-45-13).

Foreign Airworthiness Authority Information

    The LBA classified this service bulletin as mandatory and issued 
German AD Number D-2005-118, dated April 4, 2005, to ensure the 
continued airworthiness of these sailplanes in Germany.
    These Glasflugel Models H 301 ``Libelle,'' H 301B ``Libelle,'' 
Standard ``Libelle,'' and Standard Libelle-201B sailplanes are 
manufactured in Germany and are type-certificated for operation in the 
United States under the provisions of section 21.29 of the Federal 
Aviation Regulations (14 CFR 21.29) and the applicable bilateral 
airworthiness agreement.
    Under this bilateral airworthiness agreement, the LBA has kept us 
informed of the situation described above.

FAA's Determination and Requirements of the Proposed AD

    We are proposing this AD because we have examined the LBA's 
findings, evaluated all information and determined the unsafe condition 
described previously is likely to exist or develop on other products of 
the same type design that are certificated for operation in the United 
States.
    This proposed AD would require you to replace the rudder actuator 
arm (manufactured according to drawing No. 301-45-10) with an improved 
design actuator arm (manufactured following drawing No. 301-45-13).

[[Page 46129]]

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this proposed AD would affect 160 sailplanes in 
the U.S. registry.
    We estimate the following costs to do the proposed replacement of 
the rudder actuator arm (manufactured according to drawing No. 301-45-
10):

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                 Total cost per   Total cost on
                          Labor cost                              Parts cost       sailplane      U.S. operators
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3 work-hours x $80 per hour = $240...........................            $150             $390          $62,400
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Authority for This Rulemaking

    Title 49 of the United States Code specifies the FAA's authority to 
issue rules on aviation safety. Subtitle I, Section 106, describes the 
authority of the FAA Administrator. Subtitle VII, Aviation Programs, 
describes in more detail the scope of the Agency's authority.
    We are issuing this rulemaking under the authority described in 
Subtitle VII, Part A, Subpart III, Section 44701, ``General 
requirements.'' Under that section, Congress charges the FAA with 
promoting safe flight of civil aircraft in air commerce by prescribing 
regulations for practices, methods, and procedures the Administrator 
finds necessary for safety in air commerce. This regulation is within 
the scope of that authority because it addresses an unsafe condition 
that is likely to exist or develop on products identified in this 
rulemaking action.

Regulatory Findings

    We have determined that this proposed AD would not have federalism 
implications under Executive Order 13132. This proposed AD would not 
have a substantial direct effect on the States, on the relationship 
between the national Government and the States, or on the distribution 
of power and responsibilities among the various levels of government.
    For the reasons discussed above, I certify that the proposed 
regulation:
    1. Is not a ``significant regulatory action'' under Executive Order 
12866;
    2. Is not a ``significant rule'' under the DOT Regulatory Policies 
and Procedures (44 FR 11034, February 26, 1979); and
    3. Will not have a significant economic impact, positive or 
negative, on a substantial number of small entities under the criteria 
of the Regulatory Flexibility Act.
    We prepared a regulatory evaluation of the estimated costs to 
comply with this proposed AD and placed it in the AD docket.

Examining the AD Docket

    You may examine the AD docket that contains the proposed AD, the 
regulatory evaluation, any comments received, and other information on 
the Internet at http://dms.dot.gov; or in person at the Docket 
Management Facility between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, 
except Federal holidays. The Docket Office (telephone (800) 647-5227) 
is located at the street address stated in the ADDRESSES section. 
Comments will be available in the AD docket shortly after receipt.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

    Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Safety.

The Proposed Amendment

    Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the 
Administrator, the FAA proposes to amend 14 CFR part 39 as follows:

PART 39--AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES

    1. The authority citation for part 39 continues to read as follows:

    Authority: 49 U.S.C. 106(g), 40113, 44701.


Sec.  39.13  [Amended]

    2. The FAA amends Sec.  39.13 by adding the following new AD:

Glasflugel: Docket No. FAA-2006-24709; Directorate Identifier 2006-
CE-28-AD.

Comments Due Date

    (a) We must receive comments on this airworthiness directive 
(AD) action by September 11, 2006.

Affected ADs

    (b) None.

Applicability

    (c) This AD affects Models H 301 ``Libelle,'' H 301B 
``Libelle,'' Standard ``Libelle,'' and Standard Libelle-201B 
sailplanes, all serial numbers, that are certificated in any 
category.

Unsafe Condition

    (d) This AD results from mandatory continuing airworthiness 
information (MCAI) issued by the airworthiness authority for 
Germany. We are issuing this AD to detect and correct damage to the 
rudder actuator arm, which could result in failure of the rudder 
actuator arm. This failure could result in reduced or loss of rudder 
control.

Compliance

    (e) To address this problem, you must do the following:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
           Actions                 Compliance            Procedures
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(1) Replace the rudder        Within the next 30    Follow Glasfaser-
 actuator arm (manufactured    days after the        Flugzeug-Service
 according to drawing No.      effective date of     GmbH Hansj[ouml]rg
 301-45-10) with an improved   this AD, unless       Streifeneder
 design actuator arm           already done.         Technical Note No.
 (manufactured following                             201-35 and No. 301-
 drawing No. 301-45-13).                             39, dated March 1,
                                                     2005.
(2) Do not install any        As of the effective   Not Applicable.
 rudder actuator arm           date of this AD.
 (manufactured according to
 drawing No. 301-45-10).
------------------------------------------------------------------------

Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    (f) The Manager, Standards Office, Small Airplane Directorate, 
FAA, ATTN: Gregory Davison, Glider Project Officer, ACE-112, Small 
Airplane Directorate, 901 Locust, Room 301, Kansas City, Missouri 
64106; telephone: (816) 329-4130; facsimile: (816) 329-4090, has the 
authority to approve AMOCs for this AD, if requested using the 
procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19.

Related Information

    (g) German AD Number D-2005-118, dated April 4, 2005, also 
addresses the subject of this AD. To get copies of the service 
information referenced in this AD, contact Glasflugel, Glasfaser-
Flugzeug-Service GmbH, Hansjory Steifeneder, Hofener Weg, 72582 
Grabenstetten, Federal Republic of Germany; telephone: 011 49 7382 
1032. To view the AD docket, go to the Docket Management Facility; 
U.S. Department of Transportation, 400 Seventh Street, SW.,

[[Page 46130]]

Nassif Building, Room PL-401, Washington, DC, or on the Internet at 
http://dms.dot.gov. The docket number is Docket No. FAA-2006-24709; 
Directorate Identifier 2006-CE-28-AD.

    Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on August 4, 2006.
John Colomy,
Acting Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
 [FR Doc. E6-13134 Filed 8-10-06; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P